Rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element

ABSTRACT

A rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element has a body configured for connection to a rifle, the body defining a pocket, the pocket being configured to removably receive a sling support element, the pocket defining a pivot axis, a sling support element removably received in the pocket, and the sling support element being pivotally received in the pocket to pivot about the pivot axis. The stock may define a primary stock axis associated with a longitudinal axis of the rifle, and the pivot axis may be parallel to the primary stock axis. The stock may define a bore having a bore axis and configured to receive a rear cylindrical protrusion of the rifle, and the pivot axis may be parallel to the bore axis. The sling support may include a nose portion having a plurality of retractable latch elements. The retractable latch elements may be balls.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/153,954, entitled “SWINGER STOCK AND SWINGER SLING MOUNT, SWINGER STOCK, AND INSERT FOR THE SOPMOD STOCK,” filed Oct. 8, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/570,331, entitled “Swinger Stock and Stubby Sling Mount,” filed on Oct. 10, 2017, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/570,339, entitled “Swinger Stock,” filed on Oct. 10, 2017, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/675,859, entitled “Insert for the Sopmod Stock,” filed on May 24, 2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a rifle stock with a pivoting detachable sling support element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Slings provide many advantages to an operator when installed on a firearm, such as a rifle or machine gun. Slings facilitate carrying a firearm by freeing the operator's hands and distributing the firearm's weight more uniformly over the operator's body to reduce fatigue. Slings can also serve as an effective shooting support.

Currently, all the AR-style collapsible stocks that are currently being sold have built-in sling attachment points that are non-movable and either mount on the left side or the right side of the stock. This style of sling mount limits the operator to only one attachment point on his or her rifle, thus limiting the operator's ability to switch from their strong side shoulder to their weak side shoulder without sling interference. In addition, it limits the operator's choice of mounting their sling to either the left side of the firearm, the right side of the firearm, or in the lower middle of the receiver, directly under the buffer tube, and directly in line with the operator's hand.

These mounting locations make it difficult to transition from strong side, to weak side, when shooting from behind a barrier/barricade, when engaging targets while shooting out of a window of an automobile, or when clearing the corners inside of a room. Moreover, by mounting the sling to the left side of the firearm, the right side of the firearm, or in the lower middle of the receiver, directly under the buffer tube, it places the sling directly in line with the shooter's hand and could possibly interfere with shooters who have large hands or if they are wearing gloves.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element that enables a single point sling to pivot up to 270° about the attachment point on the rifle stock. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of enabling a single point sling to pivot up to 270° about the attachment point on the rifle stock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a body configured for connection to a rifle, the body defining a pocket, the pocket being configured to removably receive a sling support element, the pocket defining a pivot axis, a sling support element removably received in the pocket, and the sling support element being pivotally received in the pocket to pivot about the pivot axis. The stock may define a primary stock axis associated with a longitudinal axis of the rifle, and the pivot axis may be parallel to the primary stock axis. The stock may define a bore having a bore axis and configured to receive a rear cylindrical protrusion of the rifle, and the pivot axis may be parallel to the bore axis. The sling support may include a nose portion having a plurality of retractable latch elements. The retractable latch elements may be balls. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the current embodiment of a rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use attached to a rifle.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element of FIG. 1 with the retractable latch elements in the retention position.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element of FIG. 1 with the retractable latch elements in the released position.

FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the current embodiment of a rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a first alternative embodiment of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element.

FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of the first alternative embodiment of a rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a second alternative embodiment of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element.

FIG. 9 is a rear isometric view of the second alternative embodiment of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element of FIG. 8 with the sling support element detached from the insert.

FIG. 10 is a rear isometric view of the second alternative embodiment of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element of FIG. 8 with the sling support element attached to the insert.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the improved rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element 10 of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 1 shows the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element in use attaching a single point sling 78 to a rifle 80. The rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element is a body 12 having a front 14, rear 16, top 18, and bottom 20. The top front of the body defines a bore 22 defining a primary stock axis/bore axis 24. The bottom front of the body defines a pocket 26 defining a pivot axis 28 and an internal circumferential groove 30. The pocket has an opening 32 and a floor 34. In the current embodiment, the bottom front of the body is recessed ½ inch rearward from the top front of the body such that a hood 36 is formed above the pocket. The pocket is configured to removably receive a sling support element 38.

The sling support element 38 is an elongated body having a top 40, bottom 42, front 44, rear 46, left side 48, and right side 50. The top of the sling support element defines a bore 52, and the left and right sides of the top of the sling support element define apertures 54 that are axially registered with one another and in communication with the bore 52. The left and right sides of the bottom of the sling support element define axially registered bores 108 (only the left one is visible). The bottom front of the sling support element defines a bore 110.

The bore 52 in the top 40 of the sling support element 38 receives a quick detachment mechanism 56. In the current embodiment, the quick detachment mechanism is a heavy-duty push button swivel (part number GTSW106) with the sling retention loop removed manufactured by GrovTec of Wood Village, Oreg. The quick detachment mechanism has an actuator 58 and a nose portion/nose element 60. The nose portion/nose element is adapted to be received in the pocket 26 and has a plurality of retractable latch elements 62, which are balls that can partially protrude through apertures 64 in the nose portion/nose element. The actuator is received in central bore 114 and is biased by spring 116 to a retention position where the retractable latch elements are pushed outwards through the apertures in the nose portion/nose element by a lower portion 118 of the actuator. The actuator is operable to move to a released position where the retractable latch elements are received in a groove 120 located above the lower portion of the actuator. The retractable latch elements are therefore not pushed outwards through the apertures in the nose portion/nose element.

The bores 108 in the bottom 42 of the sling support element 38 each receive an arm 66 of a sling retention loop 68. The bore 110 in the bottom front of the sling support element receives a pin 112 to retain the arms of the sling retention loop within the bores 108. The sling retention loop includes a straight bar 70 perpendicular to and offset from the pivot axis 28 defined by the pocket 26. The sling retention loop also defines a sling passage 72, which is at an end of the sling support element opposite the nose portion/nose element.

The sling support element 38 is made of 304 stainless steel in the current embodiment, and measures 1.75 inch×1½ inch×⅜ inch. The apertures 54 and bores 108 in the left and right sides 48, 50 have a diameter of ¼ inch. The bore 52 in the top 40 of the sling support element has a diameter of ⅝ inch. The quick detachment mechanism 56 is secured within the bore 52 by epoxy and pins 74 that are received by the apertures 54 in the left and right sides 48, 50 of the sling support element and axially registered bores 76 (only the left one is visible) in the actuator 58. In the current embodiment, the pins 74 are 3/16 inch×¼ inch, and the pin 112 is 3/16 inch×⅜ inch. A single point sling 78 is received by the sling passage 72 of the sling retention loop 68 to attach the single point sling to the sling support element.

The rifle 80 has an upper receiver 82, lower receiver 84, and buffer tube 86. The upper receiver defines a longitudinal axis 88 of the rifle, and the bottom 90 of the upper receiver is attached to the top 92 of the lower receiver. The lower receiver has a rear 94 that is connected to the front 96 of the buffer tube. The rear 98 of the buffer tube, which is a rear cylindrical protrusion of the rifle, is received within the bore 22 of the body 12 to attach the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element 10 to the rifle.

In the current embodiment, the primary stock axis/bore axis 24 is associated with the longitudinal axis 88 of the rifle 80, and the pivot axis 28 is parallel to the primary stock axis/bore axis. The pocket 26 has a cylindrical form, and the opening 32 is circular. The internal circumferential groove is positioned away from both the opening of the pocket and the floor 34 of the pocket, which is opposite the opening. It should also be appreciated that the body 12 can have multiple pockets having internal circumferential grooves configured to receive the sling support element 38 to provide multiple attachment points for the single point sling 78. For example, a second pocket 100 having an internal circumferential groove 102, circular opening 104, and floor 106 is located near the bottom 20 rear 16 of the body.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the nose portion/nose element 60 received in the pocket 26. In FIG. 3, the retractable latch elements 62 are shown in the retention position protruding from the apertures 64 to engage the internal circumferential groove 30. When the retractable latch elements are in the retention position, the sling support element 38 is secured against extraction from the pocket. In FIG. 4, the retractable latch elements are shown in the released position where they do not protrude from the apertures to engage the internal circumferential groove. When the retractable latch elements are in the released position, the sling support element is enabled for extraction from the pocket.

FIG. 5 shows a portion of the pivoting range of the sling support element 38 about the pivot axis 28 when the nose portion/nose element 60 is received in the pocket 26. In the current embodiment, the sling support element can pivot 270° about the pivot axis 28 within the space below the hood 36. The body 12, including the hood, is made of plastic for its durability. The hood cushions the impact of the sling support element with the body and protects the buffer tube 86 from the metal on metal contact that would otherwise occur between the sling support element and the buffer tube.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a first alternative embodiment of the improved rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element 200 of the present invention. More particularly, the first alternative embodiment of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element is a body 212 having a front 214, rear 216, top 218, and bottom 220. The top front of the body defines a bore 222 configured to receive a rear cylindrical protrusion of the rifle 80 (the buffer tube 86), and defining a primary stock axis/bore axis 224. The bottom front of the body defines an arm slot 248 and two axially registered bores 250, 252 in communication with the arm slot. The arm slot pivotally receives the top 240 of an arm 238.

The top 240 of the arm 238 defines a bore 254 defining an arm pivot axis 244 about which the arm pivots with respect to the body 212. A pin 246 is received by the bore 254 of the arm and the two axially registered bores 250, 252 to pivotally connect the top of the arm to the body within the arm slot 248. In the current embodiment, the arm is made of 304 stainless steel, hangs down ¾ inch from the bottom front of the body, and can pivot 180° about the arm pivot axis. The bottom 242 of the arm defines a pocket 226 defining a pivot axis 228 and an internal circumferential groove 230. The pocket has a circular opening 232, and the arm pivot axis is parallel to the pivot axis. The pocket is configured to removably receive the sling support element 38 to attach the single point sling 78 as described previously to the body. The sling support element pivots about the pivot axis when the nose portion/nose element 60 is received in the pocket. When the retractable latch elements are in the retention position engaged with the internal circumferential groove, the sling support element 38 is secured against extraction from the pocket. When the retractable latch elements are in the released position and are not engaged with the internal circumferential groove, the sling support element is enabled for extraction from the pocket.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a second alternative embodiment of the improved rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element 300 of the present invention. More particularly, the second alternative embodiment of the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element includes an insert 300 that adds a pocket 308 configured to removably receive the sling support element 38 to attach the single point sling 78 as described previously to a prior art SOPMOD rifle stock. The insert has a front 302, rear 304, and is made of glass-filled polymer for durability in the current embodiment. A bore 306 receives a pin 314 to secure the insert within a rectangular cavity at the bottom front of the SOPMOD rifle stock (not shown). In the current embodiment, the pin is a 3/16 inch tension pin to secure the insert firmly in place so the insert will never accidentally fall out of the SOPMOD rifle stock. The front of the insert defines a pocket 308 defining a pivot axis 310 and an internal circumferential groove 312. The pocket has a circular opening 316. The sling support element pivots about the pivot axis when the nose portion/nose element 60 is received in the pocket. When the retractable latch elements are in the retention position engaged with the internal circumferential groove, the sling support element 38 is secured against extraction from the pocket. When the retractable latch elements are in the released position and are not engaged with the internal circumferential groove, the sling support element is enabled for extraction from the pocket. In the current embodiment, the sling support element can pivot 270° about the pivot axis within the space below the buffer tube 86 when the SOPMOD rifle stock with the insert installed is attached to the rifle 80.

While current embodiments of a rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although rifles have been disclosed, the rifle stock with pivoting detachable sling support element is also suitable for use with shotguns, light and medium machine guns, and other firearms. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A rifle stock comprising: a body configured for connection to a rifle; the body defining a pocket; the pocket being configured to removably receive a sling support element; the pocket defining a pivot axis; a sling support element removably received in the pocket; and the sling support element being pivotally received in the pocket to pivot about the pivot axis.
 2. The rifle stock of claim 1 wherein the stock defines a primary stock axis associated with a longitudinal axis of the rifle, and wherein the pivot axis is parallel to the primary stock axis.
 3. The rifle stock of claim 1 wherein the stock defines a bore having a bore axis and configured to receive a rear cylindrical protrusion of the rifle, and wherein the pivot axis is parallel to the bore axis.
 4. The rifle stock of claim 1 wherein the sling support includes a nose portion having a plurality of retractable latch elements.
 5. The rifle stock of claim 4 wherein the retractable latch elements are balls.
 6. The rifle stock of claim 1 wherein the sling support element includes an actuator biased to a retention position and operable to move to a released position, and wherein the sling support element is secured against extraction from the pocket when in the retention position and enabled for extraction from the pocket when in the released position.
 7. The rifle stock of claim 1 wherein the sling support element includes a sling retention loop.
 8. The rifle stock of claim 1 wherein the sling retention loop includes a straight bar perpendicular to and offset from the pivot axis.
 9. The rifle stock of claim 1 including an arm pivotally connected to the body and defining the pocket.
 10. The rifle stock of claim 9 wherein the arm defines an arm pivot axis about which the arm pivots with respect to the body, the arm pivot axis being parallel to the pivot axis.
 11. The rifle stock of claim 1 wherein the pocket has a cylindrical form.
 12. The rifle stock of claim 11 wherein the pocket has a circular opening.
 13. The rifle stock of claim 11 wherein the pocket defines an internal circumferential groove.
 14. The rifle stock of claim 13 wherein the internal circumferential groove is positioned away from an opening of the pocket and away from a floor of the pocket opposite the opening.
 15. The rifle stock of claim 1 wherein the sling support element is an elongated body having a nose element adapted to be received in the pocket at one end, and which defines a sling passage at an opposite end. 